PS5 vs. PS5 Digital: Which One Should You Buy?

While you're waiting for the PS5 restock update, your probably continuing researching the PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition to figure out which one you should buy and if there is enough of a difference to spend $100 more for the PlayStation 5 with a disc drive. It's already challenging to find any PS5 in stock, but when you do, you need to know which PlayStation 5 console is the best one for you. The standard PS5 is $499.99, and the PS5 Digital Edition is $399.99. While the $100 PS5 price difference isn't something you can ignore, it is a significant decision. Buyers need to factor in how they are currently buying and playing games, how they plan to buy games in the future and where they find entertainment.

• PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Price
• PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Specs and Power
• PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Backwards Compatibility
• How Will You Buy PS5 Games?
• PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Entertainment
• Which PS5 Console Should You Buy?

We've done the hard work researching the consoles and helping you with the most essential information you need before you buy.

PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Price

The PlayStation 5 is $499.99 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is $399.99. Both consoles are tough to find in stock and command a hefty premium on eBay and other reselling sites, but the Digital Edition is still typically cheaper. Saving $100 on a console is a huge deal, especially when you factor in all the PS5 games you want to buy and the PS5 accessories you need. That said, you need to factor in what it means to go digital with your new console. For many buyers, saving $100 is worth it, but it is not the way to go for everyone.

PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Specs and Power

The PS5 vs. PS5 Digital edition specs are almost entirely the same. This is a significant difference compared to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Both of the PlayStation 5 consoles feature the same processor, RAM, storage, and performance. When you play games on the PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition, you will see the same graphics and experience the same speed and loading times. We like that you get the same gaming experience and the same available storage on the built-in SSD, which means that there is plenty of room for installing games on both consoles. PS5 accessories work the same with both editions, and the box includes the same standard accessories. The PS5 Digital edition is slightly slimmer at the bottom edge, but overall the design is the same. The only thing missing from the PS5 Digital Edition is the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive that is included on the more expensive PlayStation 5 model. This is a factor to consider for two reasons. We'll start with PS5 backward compatibility.

PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Backward Compatibility & Upgrades

The PS5 backward compatibility allows you to play PS4 games on your PlayStation 5 console. Currently, all but nine PS4 games are backward compatible with the PS5. You can play PS4 games on the PS5 with backward compatibility, and in some cases, you will see an increased performance with GameBoost. This feature works on both PlayStation 5 editions. The most significant factor here is how you bought most of your PS4 games. If you own your PS4 games on discs, you can place them into the PS5 and play them without additional cost. If all of your games are on disc and you buy the PS5 Digital Edition, you won't be able to play those games without buying them digitally. That can add up quickly. If you own most of your PS4 games digitally, you can buy either PS5 console and play your existing library of games without spending any more money. Many PS4 games are available with a PS5 version that is included free of charge, though some are only for a limited time. If you bought the PS4 game on a disc, you need to get the PS5 with a disc drive to upgrade the version without rebuying the same game. For buyers who own the digital version, the upgrade works with either PlayStation 5. The other important thing to consider is how you will buy PS5 games.

How Will You Buy PS5 Games?

The PlayStation 5 console that you buy dictates how you will buy PS5 games. If you buy the PS5, then you can buy your games on disc or digitally. If you choose to save $100 and buy the PS5 Digital Edition, you commit to buying games digitally going forward. While you save $100 upfront, you may end up paying more for your games over the first year of owning the PS5 if you go with the Digital Edition. While there are many good digital game deals, we typically see faster and deeper discounts on disc games. For example, CyberPunk 2077 is $49.94 at Amazon, but it is $59.99 on the PlayStation store. If you buy new games on release day or very soon after, you will save more money on games when you can buy the disc version. When you own the PS5 with a disc drive, you can also borrow a game from a friend, rent a game or buy used PS5 games. On the flip side, buying games digitally is very convenient. You can buy them from the comfort of your couch or gaming chair, and they preload so that you can play as soon as the game goes live. There's also no need to switch discs or keep track of discs. There are benefits to both ways of buying games, but you do lock into a choice if you buy the PS5 Digital Edition.

PS5 vs. PS5 Digital Edition Entertainment

If you want to play your Ultra HD Blu-ray collection, you will want to buy the PS5 with a disc drive. Unless you already own a 4K Blu-ray player and plan to keep that set up in your entertainment center. If you play most of your movies through streaming services or buy them digitally, then it doesn't matter which PlayStation 5 edition you choose.

Which PS5 Console Should You Buy?

If you pay attention to the PS5 restock updates and simply need to buy a PlayStation 5 as soon as possible, you should get the first one you find in stock. Buyers who own most of their PS4 games digitally and plan to buy all their new PS5 games digitally can save the $100 and go with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Everyone else is better off spending the extra $100 upfront and getting the PlayStation 5 with a disc drive. This allows you to play PS4 backward compatible games on disk, get the new PS5 versions of many games you bought on disc for the PS4, swap games and watch Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Newsweek may earn a commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. We participate in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.